To look at Martin Pistorius now, you'd never know what he's been through. He was a healthy twelve-year-old growing up in South Africa when he went home sick from school one day. His mother said, "he never ever got better". His body weakened, lost control of his muscles, and stopped communicating. Doctors believed it was a neurodegenerative disease and told his parents he was unaware of the world around him. But that was wrong...
To look at Martin Pistorius now, you'd never know what he's been through. He was a healthy twelve-year-old growing up in South Africa when he went home sick from school one day. His mother said, "he never ever got better". His body weakened, lost control of his muscles, and stopped communicating. Doctors believed it was a neurodegenerative disease and told his parents he was unaware of the world around him. But that was wrong...
When asked if he heard many conversations, he said that he was able to tune in often. He said, "you get to see things you think you never would. Things like what people really think and how they really are when nobody is watching."
When asked if he heard many conversations, he said that he was able to tune in often.
He said, "you get to see things you think you never would. Things like what people really think and how they really are when nobody is watching."
Martin lived at home with his parents but regularly spent time in care centers where he said he was subjected to abuse - verbal, physical, and sexual. "There was never a care-home that I was in where there wasn't some degree of abuse.
Martin lived at home with his parents but regularly spent time in care centers where he said he was subjected to abuse - verbal, physical, and sexual. "There was never a care-home that I was in where there wasn't some degree of abuse.
"I remember feeling happy like, wow!, and also thinking, what next?" He was then asked if his body got stronger as his mind strengthened. He replied, "Yes, my body slowly got stronger too. It took a massive amount of work, blood, sweat, and tears, literally over many years.
"I remember feeling happy like, wow!, and also thinking, what next?" He was then asked if his body got stronger as his mind strengthened. He replied, "Yes, my body slowly got stronger too. It took a massive amount of work, blood, sweat, and tears, literally over many years.
His message now is to not overlook what's possible. Treat everyone with compassion whether you think they understand or not. Never underestimate the power of the mind, the importance of love, faith, and to never stop dreaming. Martin is a man who appreciates every joy in life. His book 'Ghost Boy' is now on the New York Times' Best Sellers List.
His message now is to not overlook what's possible. Treat everyone with compassion whether you think they understand or not. Never underestimate the power of the mind, the importance of love, faith, and to never stop dreaming. Martin is a man who appreciates every joy in life. His book 'Ghost Boy' is now on the New York Times' Best Sellers List.